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Meat Hunger Program fights food insecurity while supporting 4-H youth

Meat Hunger Program fights food insecurity while supporting 4-H youth

At the heart of the Meat Hunger Breakfast hosted by Cultivate Food Rescue stood a clear mission: fight food insecurity while supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Jim Conklin, co-founder and executive director of Cultivate, noted the program started out of necessity.

“We never see protein,” Conklin said. “It’s expensive. It often does not get wasted because you can freeze it."

Cultivate Meat Hunger Breakfast 2025

Cultivate Meat Hunger Breakfast 2025 18 Photos
Cultivate Meat Hunger Breakfast 2025Cultivate Meat Hunger Breakfast 2025Cultivate Meat Hunger Breakfast 2025Cultivate Meat Hunger Breakfast 2025

That shortage was apparent in community pantries and backpack programs designed to feed food-insecure children. Cultivate launched Meat Hunger to address the issue by purchasing livestock from St. Joseph County 4-H fairs.

“We get to support children and their education efforts, right? What a great thing to do,” Conklin said. “We need protein in our backpack program, so why not buy it here locally?”

The impact has grown year over year.

“We bought just shy of 200 animals last year,” Conklin said. “We spent $193,000 last year supporting the local 4-H fair.”

This year, with the loss of one of their processing partners, the goal includes buying 300 animals and covering all processing costs. The youth involved in 4-H understand the work and the purpose it takes to raise animals.

“I walk them twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes,” said Third-Year Member Chase Madison. “Once I am done walking, I rinse them off to cool them down. Then I take them into the barn and do skin and hair care, lotion, and other sprays.”

Addie Watts, a fourth-year member, described her beef-raising routine.

“We do those things daily until springtime. Once spring starts, more daily chores come—rinsing and fully drying takes half an hour per calf. Then, when the fair comes around, we still do those daily things until auction day,” Watts said.

Even for younger members, the emotional side of the project is clear.

“They start out scaring me and then become very sweet and happy to see me each day,” said Kevin Watt, an 11-year-old in his third year. “Now I’m not scared of them because I know, with time and effort, they will become friends.”

By paying above-market rates, Cultivate ensures 4-H kids aren't left with financial losses.

“We pay a small premium above livestock prices,” Conklin said. “Why are we teaching kids to lose money?" That doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever.”

The program also addresses food waste in a community-first approach.

“It’s a locally focused program to end hunger and food waste,” Conklin said. “We just look locally for community support, whether that’s food, volunteering, or financial support, it’s there. We’re just the logistics to get the food from where we have it to where it’s needed."

Conklin said there are plans to replicate the initiative in other counties.

“You could do this in any county in Indiana and Michigan where there are plenty of 4-H fairs,” Conklin said.

Through every pound of protein and every 4-H member's support, Meat Hunger continues to serve a deeper purpose.

“I love this program. I love helping these kids, and they love helping people in our community who are hungry,” Conklin said.

Ready to make a difference? Visit Cultivate Food Rescue, then click “Donate Now” or “Get Involved” to join the movement. Together, you can rescue resources, uplift youth, and fight hunger one local protein-packed meal at a time.